Iganga MP Delivers Community Ambulance to Address Emergency Transport Challenges

By Barasa Richard

IGANGA MUNICIPALITY — Member of Parliament for Iganga Municipality Hon. Mudiobole Abedi Nasser has delivered a community ambulance to address emergency transport challenges facing residents, including pregnant women in labour, accident victims and patients requiring urgent referrals to health facilities.

The ambulance, registration number UA 039FP, was delivered amid concerns from residents about the cost and availability of transport during medical emergencies, particularly at night. Some families say they have had to hire private vehicles at costs reportedly reaching Shs80,000 to transport patients to hospital.

The vehicle is branded in National Unity Platform (NUP) colours and bears the image of party president Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu. Its delivery follows the legislator's campaign commitment to improving health service delivery in the municipality.

For Namutebi Fatuma, a mother of three who sells tomatoes at Iganga Central Market, the ambulance offers hope of improved access to emergency transport when families need medical assistance. “We have suffered. When labour starts at night, you call and no vehicle comes. You have to look for a special hire that charges 80,000 shillings. Now with this ambulance, we know help is near. This is the kind of leader we need, one who feels our pain as mothers,” she said.

Her account highlights the difficulties some families face when trying to secure transport during medical emergencies, particularly when private vehicles are the only immediately available option.

MP Explains Ambulance Initiative

Speaking after unveiling the ambulance, Hon. Mudiobole said the vehicle was intended to serve residents across Iganga Municipality. “I told my people that I will not be an office MP. I will be a field MP. Health is not politics; health is life. This ambulance belongs to every mother, every child, every boda rider and every family in Iganga Municipality. My office will ensure it is fueled, maintained and available 24 hours,” he said.

The legislator said arrangements would be made to manage the vehicle and prevent misuse. He also mentioned plans for a dedicated driver and a community emergency hotline. However, details of the proposed arrangements were not provided.

The ambulance was reported to be parked in Iganga Municipality following its delivery. The date for its official flag-off for public use was not specified.

Health Worker Highlights Transport Challenges

A senior health worker at Iganga General Hospital, who requested anonymity, identified emergency transportation as a challenge affecting patient referrals in the Busoga sub-region. “We lose time, we lose mothers, we lose babies because there is no transport. With this ambulance on the ground, we shall have a faster response. It is a very timely intervention and we thank Hon. Mudiobole,” the health worker said.

Timely transportation is important for patients requiring urgent medical attention, including pregnant women experiencing complications and people injured in road traffic accidents.

The ambulance could provide an additional transport resource for the municipality. Its contribution to emergency healthcare will depend on its availability, maintenance and coordination with existing health facilities.

Boda Boda Riders Welcome Delivery Boda boda riders have also welcomed the ambulance, citing the risks associated with road traffic accidents and the need for emergency assistance.

Kimbowa Muhammad, a boda boda chairperson in Iganga Municipality, said the vehicle was a welcome development for people who travel daily on the municipality's roads. “We ride every day, accidents happen. Knowing there is an ambulance branded for us, for the people, gives us hope,” he said.

Religious leaders in the municipality have also welcomed the delivery, emphasising the importance of providing assistance regardless of political affiliation or religious background.

They expressed hope that the ambulance would serve the wider community and contribute to efforts to protect human life.

Accountability and Other Proposed Initiatives

Hon. Mudiobole said the ambulance's logbook, fuel records and maintenance schedule would be made available to a community management committee as part of proposed accountability arrangements.

The proposed system is intended to allow community representatives to monitor the vehicle's use and maintenance.

Sources close to the legislator also indicated that he was considering other community initiatives, including youth skills training, support for girls' education and health outreach programmes targeting malaria and teenage pregnancy.

Details and implementation timelines for these proposals were not provided.

The ambulance delivery comes as residents continue to raise concerns about access to affordable emergency transport in Iganga Municipality.

For families who struggle to find vehicles during medical emergencies, the initiative addresses a practical community need. Whether it will significantly improve access to emergency care will depend on when the service becomes operational, how residents can access it and whether the vehicle remains available and properly maintained.